Recreation and Leisure alumni return to meet with first year students

Offering insight into the program and their futures, three recent graduates from the Recreation and Leisure Studies program returned to Brock to meet with first year students.

On February 13, 2013, Gidon Frank (BRLS ‘11), Rachael Aiken (BRLS ’10) and Robbie Shifman (BRLS ’11) talked with RECL 1F91 students about their time in the undergraduate program, where they are now, and what advice they had for undergraduates.

The advice from Rachael Aiken, who is Program Manager at Royal City Soccer Club, a non-profit organization that runs summer soccer camps in over 75 locations across Canada: “Volunteer! Take advantage of your school and community.”

Gidon Frank, the current Program Coordinator for Child and Youth Programs for YMCA Niagara’s centre in Welland, focused on the importance of building connections with classmates. “Get to know everyone in your program,” he said, “you can learn a lot from your classmates.”

Robbie Shifman talked about the importance of keeping options open. “Work hard,” he emphasized. “As long as you do well, the doors will be open to you.” Robbie is currently completing a M.A. in Applied Health Sciences (Leisure Studies) at the University of Waterloo.

The visit concluded with a Q&A between students and alumni. The visit was coordinated by Dr. Martha Barnes, who explained: “The purpose of the visit was to highlight some of the many options that students have when they graduate. It also helps students and alumni connect with future colleagues and build their professional networks.”